I mentioned before that I was working on pollution impact on the tundra ecosystem. Basically I submitted my outline and the feedback I got from my TA was that I was focusing too much on direct effects of pollution on the organisms and not the ecosystem as a whole.
For example I was focusing on how oil spills cause soil pollution and kills plants but I failed to mention the indirect effects of the plants dying and how the plants dying effects the tundra ecosystem as a whole.
My TA gave me examples of those "indirect effects" or
ecological effects such as, what herbivores rely on plants that are getting harmed by pollution, are the plans involved in biogeochemical cycling (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane) and if so then how are these processes affected when plants are being harmed. Other indirect effects he game me were things such as soil stabilization and how the tundra ecosystem operates without soil stabilization.
I come to here to ask for some more clarity on this.
1: Any other indirect effects/ecological effects I should consider when looking at pollution overall impact on tundra? Like when I read the primary literature I will def be looking at the examples my TA gave me like biogeochemical cycling, herbivores relying on plants, soil stabilization, etc... But if you got other suggestions let me know!
2: The issue I have right now is that I finally have the proper primary literature that goes over direct effects of pollution (oil spills, seismic testing, mercury) on tundra organisms but I can't find in those same sources indirect/ecological effects on other organisms or the ecosystem as a whole so how do you recommend I solve this issue? I feel like I can find separate articles that deal with direct effects of plants dying on herbivores or plants dying on soil but no way I can find article that covers pollution on tundra. I can find direct effects of pollution on animals that live in tundra but its tough to go from their on how other animals are impacted by this. If anyone got suggestions for me to approach this then lmk!
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